Chapter 648 Oregon Laws 2011

AN ACT

HB 2289

Relating to education; creating new provisions; amending ORS 342.123; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. (1) The Task Force on Accountable Schools is established, consisting of 14 members appointed as follows:

(a) The President of the Senate shall appoint two members from among members of the Senate;

(b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint two members from among members of the House of Representatives; and

(c) The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall jointly appoint:

(A) Two members who are school district superintendents;

(B) Two members who are school administrators;

(C) Two members who are teachers;

(D) One member from a professional education organization;

(E) One member representing the Department of Education; and

(F) Two members from education advocacy groups.

(2) The task force shall develop a plan to improve accountability practices for schools.

(3) The task force shall recommend:

(a) A new student summative assessment to be used in Oregon schools that:

(A) Is based on a national standard; and

(B) Occurs as required by federal law.

(b) Measures of college and career readiness to be used in Oregon schools which evaluate:

(A) Advanced course and dual enrollment completion;

(B) National and state assessment results;

(C) Dropout and graduation rates;

(D) Post-secondary educational participation; and

(E) Programs to close any achievement gaps.

(c) A statewide standardized simple performance report and rating system based on letter grades that includes:

(A) Absolute student achievement and growth;

(B) School trends over time; and

(C) Comparisons to similar schools.

(d) Implementation of formative testing and instructionally useful student performance data systems for student achievement.

(e) Tools, resources and targeted assistance for schools needing assistance to meet state standards.

(4) A majority of the voting members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(5) Official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the voting members of the task force.

(6) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson.

(7) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective.

(8) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the voting members of the task force.

(9) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force.

(10) The task force shall submit a report that includes recommendations for legislation to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to education as appropriate no later than January 1, 2012.

(11) The Legislative Administration Committee shall provide staff support to the task force.

(12) Members of the task force who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement for expenses and serve as volunteers on the task force.

(13) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their duties.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this 2011 Act is repealed on the date of the convening of the 2012 regular session of the Legislative Assembly as specified in ORS 171.010.

SECTION 3. ORS 342.123 is amended to read:

342.123. (1) In addition to and not in lieu of any other law or rule or standard established by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, the commission shall require an applicant for a first-time license or registration issued by the commission to demonstrate knowledge of:

[(1)] (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and other relevant federal and state statutes prohibiting discrimination; and

[(2)] (b) Ethical standards of professional conduct for licensees and registrants, as determined by the commission.

(2) The requirements of this section do not apply to an applicant who is present in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa.

SECTION 4. This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2011 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor August 2, 2011

Filed in the office of Secretary of State August 2, 2011

Effective date August 2, 2011

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